Goodbye Mexico - Hello Kansas!

Finding Dean on the map.

Good Morning from Kansas!

That's right, I'm out here in Kansas in the Lenexa Stake, and to be honest I didn't know that until yesterday. It has been really crazy this week, and in all honesty, it has been pretty rough. This may not be quite as happy as my other emails, but it will most definitely have some important things to take into consideration and also just enjoy.

 

Last Group Photo from the CCM in Mexico City

First of all, last email I was back in glorious Mexico where it was 70 degrees every day and just perfect. I spent last Friday night making a tour of my casa to have for posterity and friends and all that good stuff, so I'll probably attach that at the end as well as resend my Google drive link. I may have accidentally broken my mirror, but you know, esta bien. Life is good. We had TRC again on Saturday which was good. Elder Rich and I were only able to teach one person, but we taught an older lady and were able to have a really good conversation about the gospel and temples in our lives. I took a grammar test to see how well I'd used my time at the CCM basically, and came out with a good ole 69% Shout out to Hermana Hoopes who is also in the 69 club! I was pretty pleased by that even though it wasn't the greatest. We hit up dinner early to check out the cinnamon roll situation. Esteban pulled through of course. We ate dinner with Jimenez which was really sweet, and afterwards, we snuck out a bag of cinnamon rolls, a Costco bag of croutons, and a carton of cookies that the comedor had so graciously provided us. Jimenez gave us some inspirational talks as we ate cinnamon rolls. I may have shed a tear or two, but I only cried out of my right eye so everyone on my left couldn't see. We then met his novia which was really sweet. They gave us some guidance and support on cute little cards. I'll sure miss that man. We then had zone class. Elder Hamp and Elder Alsop taught about the spirit which was really great. It's always important to work to have the spirit in our lives at all times, and we can't take for granted the ability to have the Spirit as a constant companion. I and 11C ended the night with the traditional Rap Roast of sorts. I don't happen to have a video of that but I will send it as it becomes available time me. We had a tie swap that night and I gave Elder Alsop a nice massage because his back has been no good. Sunday was real sad. It was our last full day together. Elder Hamp and Hermana Feser gave some great talks in Sacrament meeting, and later that afternoon we had exit interviews which were really good. The rest of the day we just tried to spend as much time as possible together, we signed ties and journals and other things for each other. Gave letters, and did lots of crying. After devotionals, we went back to a classroom and sang together, cried together, and said zone goodbyes one last time. We had to walk back home and say goodbye to our Hermanas one last time too which sure sucked. I miss my district a lot, so after those last goodbyes, it was all downhill. 

Monday I said goodbye to Elder Hamp and Elder Alsop. Then it was just Elder Rich and I. We learned and practiced a ton of Spanish those last two days but it just wasn't the same. We ate alone most days, but we were lucky to be in a full Latino district out last day. Hard to understand but we learned a lot. Two long hard days for sure though. Monday morning we got up and cleaned and headed out at about 1 in the morning. We sat at the airport for about 4 hours after a 20-minute drive so that was fun. We arrived in Missouri about 2 I think and got picked up by the President and others. We had about (23?) new missionaries come in the same time so we stopped at the temple to take a picture and then went to Liberty Jail for lunch and a tour. It was a cool experience and super spiritual. I love those chapters of the Doctrine and Covenants and being in the spot where the revelation was received was super cool. Afterwards, we went to the Mission home, did some interviews, ate a yummy dinner, and ended the night with a little devotional. That following morning was another incredible breakfast: waffles and fruit, and then we headed right for transfers to get out companions. I told President Love about my relation to Clint and Sherrie (and Barb and Ben) and he was very excited and announced it to all of the missionaries and trainers.They announced all the companionships, and you guessed it, I got put with the shortest of them all, probably of the Sisters even, and I hope he sees this in thirty years and laughs. My companion is Elder Roberts and he is great. He's full of energy and everyone just loves him. He's also nice and easy going with everyone but always laughing which I love. We get along really well so far and I look forward to the time we have together.

Darn, this team not in the superbowl, either.

 That night we got right to work after I'd unpacked. We went to a member's, Sister Cosby's, and she cooked us a huge meal. It was the best first day I could've asked for, and so you may be thinking to yourself "why is this gonna be a bad email?" Well, I'll tell you. After dinner, we went out in the 10-degree weather and tracted for an hour or so. Tracting has been really tough for me and I've felt awkward and intrusive especially when we do it at night. I'm trying thebe better but it's just my least favorite part of the work and doesn't always feel right. I did use my Spanish at home which was a highlight because we started and the man said he only spoke Spanish, so Elder Roberts just turned to me and I started going. That was cool. We got a couple of return appointments as well. I also knocked a door a was confronted by a man who stabbed a very large camp knife into his door. I just continued what I was saying without hesitation, and as he slammed the door Elder Roberts and I just laughed. Then we got picked up, grabbed warmer clothes, and went to another home. Jim and Tiffany are quite interesting, but I helped him make some egg salad sandwiches. We ate and talked and I shared a short scripture. It was all pretty good, and I retired to bed nice and worn out. My tummy started to really hurt then. Like bad. I got to sleep but not for long. Long story short I was up 6 times, throwing up and lying on the bathroom floor, sleeping about 2 total hours maybe. That morning I lost it a couple more times. Entonces, I have now lost ten on those fifteen pounds I had gained. I spent the entire day in bed. I barely ate. Not fun.

Send snacks! They have to cook for themselves.

I was really losing motivation to be here and was just out of it. The last few days of work have been long, slow, and cold. People don't like to be bothered at home and tracting is just not something I'm confident or comfortable with yet and it's been kind of a struggle for me. Oh, I didn't mention yet, but we are full-time walk so we usually walk about an hour to get to most lessons. All in all, I've missed home a lot and had some really rough days. Days of doubt, fear, and frustration but I will keep moving forward. Hopefully, today is a good break too.

Here's our mailing address:

13345 West 88th Circle Apt F Retreat at Woodridge 

Lenexa, KS 66215.

Thank you for your love and support,

Elder Shepherd

PS If you haven't received emails and would like to, just let me know. I hope they have worked every week

PPS In the words of Elder Hamp "Its fetching cold!"